A joint venture of GPZ (G P Zachariades Overseas) and Sembawang Engineers and Constructors is busy finishing the structural work on The Lagoons Estate at the Riffa Views.

The BD43 million ($114 million) construction deal for The Lagoons villas, which began in July last year, is expected to be completed in June next year.
The contract, which is understood to be the single largest package within the massive sporting and residential development coming up in Riffa, will involve the construction of 350 luxurious villas, says Lau King Siu of Sembawang Engineers and Constructors.
“Riffa Views has three unique residential estates, each individually themed and including multiple amenities and wide open spaces,” explains Ahmed Khatib of GPZ.
Built to reflect a contemporary style of architecture, the simple exteriors of The Lagoons villas give them a sleek look, while the wide open indoor areas exude a feeling of space, says Lau.
Commenting on the challenges on the project, he says: “The shortage and the escalating costs of raw materials is one of the biggest challenges that we have to face. We have been looking to execute the project within the time and cost considerations and this has involved extensive project planning and reprogramming of the work schedules.
“We are proud to be associated with a pioneering and unique project of this scale in Bahrain, and are confident we will deliver a quality service to allow home owners to move in as scheduled.”
The GPZ-Sembawang joint venture was established to combine the resources of G P Zachariades Overseas and Sembawang Engineers and Constructors to meet the challenges of the Riffa Views project. Both companies are leaders in their respective fields.
“The joint venture has helped us share local knowledge and international resources, and we are positive Riffa Views will benefit from this partnership,” says Lau.
Endorsing Lau views, Richard Browning, CEO of Riffa Views Signature Estates says: “We selected GPZ-Sembawang based on their local knowledge combined with international expertise, to ensure world-class quality and on time completion and delivery to our residents.”
Apart from the Riffa Views project, GPZ is currently associated with several multimillion-dollar building projects in the region that involve the construction of 317 villas on Atolls 3 and 4 at the Durrat Al Bahrain – for Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain – which is expected to be complete by the end of this year; Medical University of Bahrain project for Mercury Middle East, slated for completion this month (August); a twin building at Diplomatic Area that is expected to be completed next January; Al Jawhara Centre for the Arabian Gulf University; and the construction of 20 silos for Bahrain Flour Mills Company.
GPZ has also completed numerous important projects in the kingdom, which include: civil works for Hidd Phase 3 desalination plant for Sidem; an office tower in Manama for Trust Insurance; Al A’Ali Shopping Complex; Royal University for Women At West Riffa (Phase I); residential towers at Seef; civil works for Al Ezzel Power Plant for Siemens; twin towers at Seef for Kuwait Finance House; St Christopher’s Junior School at Saar; Investcorp House extension; Al Murjan Center at Juffair; new headquarters at Seef for the Bahrain National Holding Company; and the Gudaibiya Palace for the Government of Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Sembawang has been associated with several projects across the globe, including the Mediterranean Gardens package within the Discovery Gardens project of Dubai, UAE. The BD59 million project, which was completed last December, comprises 2,700 prestigious residential apartments near Jumeirah Islands, Dubai.
Commenting on the construction sector within the kingdom, Lau says: “Bahrain is experiencing a period of rapid growth with major developments, such as Riffa Views, currently under construction and other ambitious projects planned to commence in the near future. These provide the construction industry with the opportunity for expansion but place heavy demands on the available resources and supply chain, creating many challenges. Innovative solutions will have to be found if development is to continue at the same pace.”
With the expansion of the construction market, GPZ has embarked on a major investment programme that will involve the modernisation and upgrading of its workshops to enable the company to take full advantage of the increased potential the market has to offer, says Khatib.
“The value of projects currently under construction is a record for the company as are the individual projects, with the largest contract being worth BD50 million,” he adds.
The company has also witnessed an increase in its annual turnover from 10 to 15 per cent in the years leading up to 2006. This was raised by a further 20 per cent per annum during 2007/2008, says Khatib.
Corresponding to this increase, there has been an expansion in the workforce as well, says Khatib. “In the two-year period up to last year, there has been a 40 per cent increase in the company’s workforce and there has been a similar increase in staff levels,” he says.
Investments in state-of-the-art workshop equipment and other construction plant and equipment have also been at an all-time high for the company, says Khatib.
“Recently GPZ’s joinery works, steel bar bending facility and spray painting/joinery finishing workshop have been re-equipped with state-of-the-art and fully computerised processing and manufacturing equipment. Its plant fleet has also benefited from the introduction of the latest materials handling equipment.
“GPZ plans to actively participate in the future development of Bahrain and will continue to expand its capabilities by recruiting additional staff and developing new labour resources. Investment in plant and equipment is expected to continue at high levels.
“In addition, GPZ is actively developing new joint ventures with specialist and international companies to further enhance its capability and capacity to undertake new works. The company is forging these new relationships so that further projects can be secured under similar joint venture arrangements as we enjoy with Sembawang for the Riffa Views project,” says Khatib.
GPZ expects resources to be released towards the end of this year from projects nearing completion. With these and its planned increase in capacity, the company will be well-placed to add new contracts to its order book,” he adds.
Founded by George P Zachariades in Cyprus, the GPZ construction group commenced activities in 1956. As part of its expansion plans, the company branched out into Bahrain as G P Zachariades Overseas in 1976 and is classified as a Grade AA contractor by the Ministry of Works.
Since commencing operations in Bahrain, GPZ has focused its activities on high-quality and prestigious developments, says Khatib. The company is proud of its achievements in this sector and the reputation it has acquired for ensuring customer satisfaction. Its areas of expertise include: five-star and deluxe hotels, major government buildings, hospitals, corporate headquarters, shopping complexes, banks, luxury residential developments, luxury private residences as well as heavy construction and civil engineering works for power stations, desalination plants and industrial complexes. In addition, hotel refurbishments and fitting-out works for blue-chip organisations and private clients are also a company specialty.
A multi-discipline contractor, GPZ is staffed by qualified construction professionals dedicated to the company’s ideals of high quality of work and timely completion. To support its main contracting activities, GPZ has established specialist divisions, which allow it to maintain in-house responsibility for most key activities and places it in a unique position of being able to offer its clients a fully comprehensive service.
These specialist divisions include MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), interior decoration and fit-out, joinery, steel bar cutting and bending, structural steel fabrication, aluminium and curtain-walling, light and architectural metalwork, sheet metal fabrication, natural stone and tiling and gypsum mouldings.
The company’s MEP division, which has embraced green technology, has been advising clients on the best ways of implementing energy-saving technologies and strategies for their buildings.
These divisions are supported by a series of fully-equipped and dedicated workshops located at Sitra and where GPZ’s plant and transport division is also accommodated.
The company also maintains overseas representative offices in Limassol, Cyprus and Athens, Greece.
GPZ’s workshops, stores and maintenance facilities are located in Sitra. “The company leased an area of 73,000 sq m in Bahrain, on which it has constructed offices, accommodation, stores and workshops. The company also has labour camps that can accommodate up to 4,000 workers,” says Khatib.
Established in 1982 with its headquarters in Singapore, Sembawang is one of the largest engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors in Southeast Asia and the biggest player in the Singapore construction industry. It has a strong global presence with 12 offices worldwide including in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
“As such, Sembawang offers a one-stop capability covering the building, infrastructure and utilities sectors,” says Lau. “Its award-winning services include masterplanning, concept design, detailed engineering design, development management, construction management and main contracting.
“The company’s feasibility studies can help clients have a better insight and perspective on all crucial aspects, empowering them to make the right business decisions. We also provide a full range of design services including masterplanning, concept/front-end engineering design (FEED), basic design and detailed engineering design in particular, and as a market leader in precast technologies, we offer a diverse range of products and innovative solutions.
“At Sembawang, client accountability is paramount,” says Lau. “With the consultant and the contractor being one and the same, you are assured of total accountability in project and construction management, right from inception to completion. With our in-house designers and external consultants, Sembawang is well equipped with a wealth of construction competency to manage the most challenging civil and structural designs,” he adds.
Major projects accomplished include:
• Bayfront MRT station (Downtown Line Stage 1) in Marina Bay, Singapore;
• Kallang Paya Lebar Expressway in Singapore, the longest and most advanced underground tunnel expressway in Southeast Asia;
• Changi Water Reclamation Plant in Singapore, the world’s biggest wastewater complex;
• Changi Airport Terminal 2 extension, Singapore;
• Bintan Lagoon Resort, Indonesia;
• Jumeirah Islands Villas, a high-end residential project in Dubai;
• The Exchange, a mixed commercial development in Tianjin, China;
• Planet Godrej, the iconic tallest building in Mumbai, India;
• Camau, a 720 MW combined cycle power plant in Vietnam; and
• Mobil Oil CCR/aromatics plant tankage project, Jurong Island, Singapore.
Sembawang, which is part of the Punj Lloyd group, employs more than 3,000 staff across the globe, including registered architects, professional civil and structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, chartered engineers, chartered surveyors and builders, quality assurance engineers and registered safety officers. “We are committed to uphold international construction and labour standards and practices,” he concludes.